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Highland - July 14

Paula Campbell - Community Correspondent
Posted 7/13/20

There is a new pastor in the Town of Barryville! Pastor Charles Perez who has been recently appointed as the Senior Pastor of the Barryville United Methodist Church on Route 97 met with me on a …

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Highland - July 14

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There is a new pastor in the Town of Barryville! Pastor Charles Perez who has been recently appointed as the Senior Pastor of the Barryville United Methodist Church on Route 97 met with me on a wonderful sunny day on the Church's front lawn facing the river which is also the site of the Barryville farmer's Market. Pastor Perez comes to us from Dover, New Jersey where for the past eleven years he served as the Senior Pastor of the United Methodist Church and as the Associate Pastor of the Nueva Esperanza Church that has an active Hispanic congregation. Pastor Charles told me that he was working at both churches about 60 hours a week which was very tough. He has been married to Jennie Reyes, a school teacher for over a decade and they come to our town with four lovely children, Abraham-4years old, Josiah (Jo-Jo)-6 years old, Serenity-8 years old, and Jeremiah-10 years old. When asked how a Pastor raised in the rough streets of Newark ended up here in Barryville in a small church built in 1902 on the bucolic banks of the Delaware River, Pastor Charles told me he made the decision to transfer as a father and a husband-and as a Pastor last as he felt he needed to spend more time with his wife and his children and this was the perfect opportunity.

“I was somewhat concerned for my family because this is a really big change and I have been shocked at the level of genuine kindness and how welcoming the community has been to me and my family and we very much appreciate it he told me. When I was interviewed via Zoom, it seemed like a good fit for us, but I wasn't prepared for how wonderful and beautiful the surroundings would be and the graciousness of the community. I want to be sure I have a very accessible ministry here that keeps a clear focus on what matters to foster the best for the Church and the community and that there is an intercultural competency in all aspects of our lives,” he said. My family is living in the rectory house next to the Church so I'm accessible to anyone who may want to speak with me so please just stop by and meet my family and introduce yourself.

“I am looking forward to holding our Church's first service outside on the lawn of the church on Sunday, July 19th at 9:00a.m. with both masks and social distancing protocols so everyone is safe. and invite everyone to attend” the Pastor said. The opening service will be streamed live on Facebook. “Until that time I hope to be reaching out to other churches to determine how we can work collaboratively with the community, and I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity for all of us he told me. For more information you can reach Pastor Charles on Facebook and by calling 845-557-6216.

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